Career in Acupuncture

Job Opportunities for Acupunctures Candidates desirous to build career in acupuncture must attain significant formal education. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medical art, practiced for more than 5,000 years. It involves inserting fine needles at points on the body's surface to influence physiological functions. Acupuncture is based on the concept that energy, called chi, flows through and around the body along pathways called meridians. It is believed that illness occurs when something blocks or unbalances the chi. Acupuncture is an effectual technique to unblock or influence chi and help it flow back into balance. It involves stimulating specific acupuncture points on the body.

Acupuncture is done by putting very thin needles into the skin at certain points on the body. This is done to influence the energy flow. Sometimes heat, pressure, or mild electrical current is used along with needles. The insertion of thin, metallic, solid needles at the acupuncture points produces a wide variety of effects in the body of the patient. It helps to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of vital energy through the body and the various internal systems, of the patient. The effect of acupuncture may involve stimulation of nerves in the skin and muscles, which helps to re-establish imbalance of energy, stimulation of the immune system, release natural painkillers, release hormones called endorphins in the brain, which block pain.

Educational qualification

Candidates interested in making career in acupuncture must hold master's degrees or graduate certificates from accredited acupuncture programs. This career requires proper training and experience, therefore candidates must join renowned college for studying acupuncture courses.

Skill

Candidates must develop following personality traits to get success in acupuncture career path :

Caring
Honest
Excellent interpersonal, communication and listening skills
Understanding and sensitivity
Patience
Self-awareness and emotional stability
A logical approach to solving problems
Good hand-eye coordination and a steady hand
Composed, and empathetic
They must be able to take responsibility, and have an understanding and passion for the mind-body connection

Job Responsibilities

Acupuncture consultants are highly trained and treat numerous physical and psychological conditions and offer support for patients with chronic diseases. Acupuncture consultants offer treatment of numerous medical conditions, symptoms, and side effects such as chronic pain (e.g., headache, back pain, arthritis), nausea and vomiting (e.g., after surgery or chemotherapy), stroke rehabilitation, menstrual cramps, cosmetic problems, skin diseases. They can work in various settings, including in private practice and hospitals.

Acupuncturists use sterile needles or other methods such as pressure to stimulate specific points on the body. General procedure involves inserting thin metal needles into the skin. Acupuncturists use different needling methods and vary the depth of the needles to produce different effects and results. In some cases, acupuncturist apply a tiny electric current to the needle (called electrical stimulation) or burns a specific herb over the needle to heat it before insertion.

Major duties of an acupuncturist are as under

Cautiously listening to the problems of the patient.
Examining and diagnosing patient's symptoms, physiological disorders and injuries.
Preparing patient's medical history, their physical and emotional health, lifestyle and diet as well as sometimes taking their blood pressure.
After diagnosing the exact problem, they describe to patients about the treatment they will do and answer all queries of patients.
For the treatment, acupuncturist considers several factors such as deciding the size of needles to use and where to insert them (there are 365 acupuncture points on the body).
Selecting specific points on the body to be treated and inserting needles according to the level of stimulation required.
Keeping records of treatment given to each patient.
Recommend therapeutic exercise or dietary guidelines to the patients

In addition to providing acupuncture therapy, consultants help their patients achieve balance and wellness in their everyday lives.

Salary of Acupuncture experts

Salaries of acupuncturists vary extensively. It depends on practice and employment type. Other variables include education level, experience level, and geographic location.

Career growth

Candidates who get license as acupuncture practitioners are trained to provide array of healthcare services, including internal, dental and visual care, as well as addiction treatment, pain management and rehabilitation assistance. They may work in private practices, multidisciplinary clinic settings or hospitals. They can also work in clinics, gyms, health centres, rehabilitation centres, recovery care units and psychiatric wards to entail a balanced level of health in the patient. Other career options include teaching, research and writing.

College/Institutes offer acupuncture courses

Indian Academy of Acupuncture Science, Aurangabad is reputed institute which offers 1year diploma and 3year degree in Acupuncture for 10+2 students.

The 2 year Master's degree course in Acupuncture are open for those having a bachelor's degree in healthcare or alternative medicine related subject such as MBBS, BHMS, BAMS, BUMS, Bachelor of Naturopathy, Bachelor of Acupuncture and DTCM (Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing). Degree in physiology, anatomy, biology and psychology will be supportive for ambitious acupuncturists to get success in their careers. The institute also offers training and correspondence courses in Acupuncture.
Indian Board of Alternative Medicines, Kolkata duly registered by the Government of West Bengal offers 1 year Doctor of Medicine in Acupuncture - M.D. (ACU) through distance education.

Candidates who have completed any degree course from reputed institution or hold degree of MBBS, BDS, DMS, DHMS, BHMS, BAMS, BASM, BEMS, BIAMS, BNYT, BATS, BUMS, BPT, B.Pharm, MD (AM) are eligible. For consultants and research scholars who are practicing for the last 10 years, the minimum basic qualification is exempted and they can directly apply for the Doctorate program.
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU ) offers Online program in PG Diploma in Acupuncture for Medical graduates (Allopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Yoga and Naturopathy) which can be completed within 1 to 3 years.

International College of Acupuncture and Natural Medicine (ICANM) offers 1 year online certificate training course - with 4 contact sessions of 10 days each in a year.

Physiotherapists and Dentists or those who possess Bachelor,s degree in Allopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Yoga and Naturopathy can apply for this course.

Alternative Medicine College offers 2 year Associate degree in Acupuncture for 10+2 students and 1 year post graduate diploma in Acupuncture for Graduates in healthcare or alternative medicine or related subject.
Chennai Jayanth Acupuncture Clinic and Training Centre, Chennai - Arumbakkam
Apex Biotechnology Training and Research Institute, Chennai - Ekkaduthangal
Bioneemtec India private limited. Chennai - Sholinganallur
Guires Education Institute, Chennai - Nungambakkam
Beijing Acupuncture Center, New Delhi (Delhi)
International College of Acupuncture and Natural Medicine (ICANM), New Delhi
Priyog Internationl Alternative Therapy Institute, Pune (Maharashtra)
Academy of Acupuncture Science, Nizampet Village - Hyderabad
Atma Acupuncture training and research centre, Salem, TamilNadu.
- Post graduate diploma in Acupuncture

Diploma in Acupuncture therapy

Chhattisgarh University
- Diploma in Acupuncture therapy
Institutes of Alternative medicine and research (IAMR), Thakurpukar, Kolkata.
- Diploma in Acupuncture therapy.
Khatu Shyam institute of management and technology, Janakpuri, New Delhi.
- Diploma in Acupuncture therapy.
Singhania university, Pacheri Bari, Rajasthan.
- Diploma in Acupuncture therapy.
- B.P.T. - Certificate course in acupuncture therapy.
Academy of Indian Acupuncture, Location Whitefield, Bangalore, India

It is assessed that candidates can have bright future in acupuncture area. Acupuncture is one of the treatment in the fast-growing field of complementary and alternative medicine. An acupuncturist will work in many settings, including alternative therapy clinics, spas, salons, and even in private practice. This is an added advantage in this career.